SANTA MONICA, CA (October 4, 2012) – Renowned Japanese video game company LEVEL-5, best known for their critically acclaimed Professor Layton video game series and the upcoming game Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, is bringing three of the studio’s most popular Japanese-only releases to North America this Fall via the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS™. The three titles – LIBERATION MAIDEN, AERO PORTER and CRIMSON SHROUD -- were previously released only in Japan as part of GUILD01, a multi-game pack featuring works by some of the industry’s most respected game creators.

“LEVEL-5 is dedicated to empowering the world’s best game designers with the freedom to create the innovative games they truly want to make featuring the immersive stories they want to tell, and these three games are great examples of that strategy,” said Akihiro Hino, President and CEO of LEVEL-5. “We are extremely proud to bring SUDA51’s LIBERATION MAIDEN to North America and Europe as the first release from the series, offering true game design and production values of the highest quality through a downloadable platform.”

Additional details about North American release dates and pricing for each of the titles will be released soon.

ABOUT LIBERATION MAIDEN

LIBERATION MAIDEN is a full-scale 3D sci-fi shooter created by critically acclaimed developer Goichi Suda, better known as SUDA51, from Grasshopper Manufacture, creators of fan-favorites Lollipop Chainsaw, No More Heroes, Shadows of the Damned and many more. Set 100 years in the future in New Japan, LIBERATION MAIDEN puts players in the role of Shoko Ozora, piloting a humanoid robot called Kamui. The game brings AAA production values to the downloadable market in an unprecedented collaboration of all-star creators in music, art, and design, including breathtaking animation by the acclaimed animation studio, bones. More information on LIBERATION MAIDEN can be found online at http://level5ia.com/blackbox/liberation-maiden/.

ABOUT AERO PORTER

AERO PORTER combines puzzle elements with a simulation of airport operations. Designed by Seaman creator Yoot Saito, the player sorts color-coded luggage onto conveyor belts while avoiding mishaps and delays. Players are also able to design and share their own planes with a wide range of colors and patterns.

ABOUT CRIMSON SHROUD

CRIMSON SHROUDwas created by game designer, Yasumi Matsuno, whose previous works include industry cornerstones such as Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story,and Tactics Ogre. CRIMSON SHROUD is a new RPG that reimagines the table top RPG, and puts the power of the dice in the player’s hands to determine their fates.

LEVEL-5 Inc. plans, creates, and markets videogame software in Japan. The company’s flagship PROFESSOR LAYTON series has shipped over 13.5 million units worldwide, while the mega-hit INAZUMA ELEVEN series has shipped over 5.1 million units worldwide. The Little Battlers eXperience animated series, based on the hugely successful games of the same name, will soon make its western debut in Europe and the Americas. The company is also currently localizing Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch for North America and Europe, featuring animations by the Academy Award-winning Studio Ghibli, and music by Joe Hisaishi. In September 2010, LEVEL-5 Inc. opened an office in Santa Monica, California. While maintaining its base as a game company, LEVEL-5 Inc. continues to actively explore collaborations with other media, as it strives to become a world-class entertainment brand. More information on LEVEL-5 Inc. can be found at http://www.level5ia.com and http://www.level5.co.jp/.